Chapter Six: Lost Girl

Upon a hill by the sea, two boys battled their hardest battle yet. How else could it have been? Each battle was always harder than the last. And at the moment when a sword pierced you, well, no battle before mattered.

"Can I play?" a young girl asked, running up to them. She was wearing a simple pink dress that made it hard for her to run. Her hair, black like her mother's, was a mess. It was always a mess, though less so since she'd cut it. Nobody had been thrilled with her cutting her hair that short, but once it had been done, they could hardly have undone it, now could they?

"Girls don't get to play," one of the boys said, "Go inside and help mama with dinner."

"That's not-"

"Alice!" her mother called from behind her. "Come inside. You're ruining your dress."

"But-"

"Listen to your mother, lass." A man, also with dark hair, said as he strode up the hill. Both boys ran up to him, tackling him.

"Papa!" they squealed.

"It's almost as though they missed you," his wife said fondly.

The man laughed, hugging the ruffians known as his children. "Mercy, mercy. Let me up and I'll give you presents from the crew."

"Was it nice seeing them? How is everybody?" his wife asked.

"They're all faring well. They miss their captain, but, they understand. A man needs to be with his family."

"Tell us a story, Papa! Tell us of when you were a fierce pirate!"

"You don't want presents, then?"

"Papa, they wouldn't let me-"

"Presents! Presents!" the boys shouted, drowning out Alice's complaint. She huffed and ran off in the direction of the trees. When she reached them, she began climbing, scaling one as high as she could, until she could see their cottage on the hill.

After what seemed no time at all, she heard her papa calling her down. She jumped, and he ran to catch her. "Bloody hell, lass. You'll give your papa a heart attack with daring tricks like that."

"I could have landed on my feet. I've done it before."

"Well, you won't again. It's not safe-"

"Suppose it was Liam, or Asher? Would you let them climb? Of course, you would. You let them run around and do whatever they want, while I have to be careful and wear dresses. I bet you brought me back another doll."

"As a matter of fact, I didn't," he said, taking out a bottle. "Alice, you are my light, and it's my dearest wish to protect you. But you have your mother's spirit, and it's not lost on me that someday, I won't be able to keep you safely tucked away here. So, should you ever need me, you need simply to say my name into this bottle, and I'll know. I'll come to find you, wherever you are. I'll save you."

"And if I should want to save myself?"

"There's no shame in asking for help when you need it."

"Would you? Would the fierce pirate Captain Killian Jones whine into a bottle for help like some little girl, or would he fight his way out of whatever scrape he was in?"

"Alice-"

"You treat me differently for being a girl, and I don't like it. I want to learn to swordfight and go on adventures!" She stomped her foot for emphasis, and her Papa chuckled, which made her growl.

"Well, how's this for an adventure? The lads thought it might be fun for you lot to see my old stomping grounds. Up for a sail on the Jolly Roger?"

Alice's face broke into a smile. "Truly? You won't make me stay back?"

"If you promise to be careful and follow my instructions to the letter. The sea can be quite dangerous, and if we ever lost you …"

"I promise."

"All right then. Go change out of that muddy rag, and have your mother find you something seaworthy. We sail at dawn."

Jamie stared up at the old sign that she'd seen a million times. Jones' Garage, it read. Looking at it brought so many memories back to mind, sitting with her father, passing him his tools, having him explain to her the differences between each one.

"The Lady Jones," a familiar voice said.

Jamie smiled, "I'm no lady, sir," she said, trying to sound stern, but when she turned toward him, she let him take her in a hug. Mr. Donald was her father's right-hand man. He had been in her family's employ for as long as she could remember. He was family, really. "It's good to see you, Don."

"And you, Jones. It's been a long time."

"You know, it has. I can't for the life of me figure out why it's taken so long to visit." It was the strangest feeling, like she'd been dreaming for so long, and had only just woken up. What a silly thought. "Tell me, how's life been treating you?"

"Oh, you know. Business is good, so I'm good," he said, picking up a wrench and fiddling with an engine.

"There's more to life than business, Don."

"True, but not to mine. Frankly, this garage is all I have."

"Well, we'll just have to fix that, then. Find some poor girl for you, you can settle down, start a family-"

"I had a family, your family," he said sadly, "No, this is it for me."

"And if I said the same, would you let me get away with it?"

He shook his head, smiling. "The last Jones standing? No, not a chance."

They were silent for a moment and Don continued his tinkering.

Then she ventured "can I ask you something? It's … it's about my mum."

"Of course."

"I just … I guess I just wondered … how she and Dad met? I never heard the story."

"Oh, I don't know about all that. They were already married when I met 'em."

"And he never told you?"

"I never asked. It never seemed relevant." He put down his wrench, "Is everything okay?"

Jamie thought of the family that she seemed to barely remember, and she thought of Neal. Neal, who seemed to think he was her brother. This strange man who was following her, and of whom she should be afraid, but wasn't. "No, I'm fine."

"I already asked her about taking a blood test-"

"I don't think that's wise. People in power, they always know what goes on. If there were concrete proof, and word got out to the wrong people that we were … where we were from, it could be quite dangerous."

"Well, it's too late. We went to the hospital, and we should have the results today."

Rumple said nothing, but the look he shot his son was shocked and dismayed, "I need to know."

"I hardly think you need a test to confirm what you know in your heart, especially considering what Henry told us."

"Well, then how will she know? She can't just take my word-"

"And it's best she doesn't. For her sake and yours. We've stumbled upon a war between royals, and our beginnings are both humble and dangerous. It's best to lie low now until we know-"

"That sounds kind of calculating. Am I talking to my father right now? Or is some other voice chiming in?"

"Bae-"

"What are you two fighting about?"

Both men turned to see Henry at the door."Henry? Lad? How long have you been-?"

"Somewhere around a war between royals." His grandfather nodded, in acknowledgment.

"I get it if you guys are scared," Henry said. "This whole fairytales being real thing is way freaky, and there is a curse to break and all. But I'm not worried."

"You're not?" his father asked.

"Heroes always win in these stories, so if they're real, that means that's real too. And I believe in Mom. I believe in us."

His grandfather smiled, and his father, well, it was almost like a smile, but more like a wince.

"Where is your mother?" he asked in a tone Henry didn't quite recognize.

"She went to get breakfast, said I should wake you guys."

"Does she, uh, want all of us to join her?"

Henry shrugged. "But I want to hurry before they run out of all the good pastries. I'm super-hungry. Breaking curses is hard work." And with that, the boy took off.

Emma was scanning the breakfast options when someone plopped down beside her.

"You should try the Belgian waffles. They're out of this world," an accented voice said. She turned to see a scruffy man sitting there.

"And you should try not sitting down next to strangers while they're trying to decide on breakfast."

"Strangers? Now, that's hurtful." Emma stared at him. "We met yesterday. At the doctor's office."

"Sheriff. Right."

He held up a hand. "Graham."

"Like the crackers?"

He laughed, a deep, throaty laugh. "If you like."

"Okay. So, Sherriff Graham, wanna tell me the real reason why you're sitting next to me, or was it just to push the waffles?"

"I actually wanted to talk to you about the case. Aria."

Emma sat up straighter, "Oh."

"You probably don't think much of me as law enforcement for not thinking to question you in the office, but you have to understand, we don't usually have things like this happen here."

"Or you do, and this is just the first time someone noticed."

"And that someone would be you, I suppose?"

"Never underestimate an outsider's perspective."

Graham nodded. He was quiet for a moment. Then he said, "How did you come to be in that office with Aria? I hardly think you could be there as a friend, considering you haven't even been in town for a week."

"I was the one who found her … like that. Convinced her to go see a doctor."

"Found her … where exactly?"

"Outside Granny's. Behind the back of the inn. I saw her through my window."

"Is that where the attack happened? Outside Granny's."

"I didn't see."

"So you stumbled on her afterward? Didn't see anyone?"

"She was alone, far as I saw."

Graham paused, "You said you convinced her to see a doctor." Emma nodded. "And why would she need convincing?"

"She was scared."

"Why?"

"Are you really asking that?"

"I just feel like there's something you're not saying here."

"Well unless you have something more concrete than a feeling-"

"You don't trust feelings in your work, Emma? Never go with your gut, chase after something because you know you can't let it go?"

"You're awfully presumptuous, you know that?"

"What I know is that nothing like this has ever happened in this town. Your family rolls in; suddenly we have a man going around attacking women. Some might say that's a coincidence. I don't believe in coincidences. Some might say you were at fault. I don't believe that either, because my gut tells me that you were there to help yesterday. My gut tells me that you're a good person. So maybe you want to trust my gut right now, because believe it or not, I am on your side, and Aria's. I only want what's best for this town."

"And I'll cooperate. I'll come down to the station and make a statement. In the meantime, though, I'd like to enjoy my breakfast, if you don't mind."

Graham nodded, drumming his fingers on the table before getting up. "Okay. We'll set that up, then. And for the record, I want to help Aria too."

"Those are mine!" Liam said, stamping his foot. He had caught Alice playing around with his sword, in his clothes! She had found a spare outfit he had packed down in the captain's quarters, and put them on, before practicing her lunges and feints. Regardless of what some said of girls, she would be a proper swordswoman yet.

"I can't fight like a proper pirate in a skirt," she said, not even pretending to be sorry.

"You're not supposed to be fighting at all. I'll tell Papa-"

The shipped lurched. And then it did it again. "We should head back up and see what's going on."

The two children rushed out of the captain's quarters and ran up to the deck. Once they got there, they discovered a storm was buffeting the ship about.

"Papa!" Alice cried.

Killian turned at the sound of Alice's voice, trying to keep his wet hair from obscuring his vision. "Get back down there!" he ordered over the howling wind.

"But I want to help!"

"You promised to mind me!"

"Papa, I -"

Another jolt.

Water was crashing against the side of the ship, jerking Alice off her feet. She looked up at her father, trying to hear him over the storm. He was coming towards her, but something knocked into him, and then she couldn't see him anymore. She felt water start to seep through her borrowed clothes and pool around her feet. The ship shifted again, and she slammed against the side, slipping to the edge. She tried to hold on to something, but the side of the ship was wet and slippery, and her fingers were burning from the effort.

Something swept up under her, and she felt like she was flying, truly flying. She'd always thought that flying would be an amazing adventure, but it shouldn't be like this, tumbling backward with no control. Her eyes stung, and she tasted salt and wet and cold. She tried to scream, but she couldn't. She tried to propel herself upward. She knew how to swim, and she knew that she couldn't panic. She couldn't wave her arms about like a madwoman, because she would only drown faster. Because that was what she was doing, wasn't it? She was drowning. She was sinking, unable to catch her breath as her lungs filled up with water. She needed to think of something. She needed to find a way to stay afloat. She needed to find a way back to The Jolly Roger, and to Papa. But she couldn't see, and the water was so heavy. She needed to think, but her mind was foggy, and she couldn't breathe.

Where was her Papa? Why couldn't she see him? Was that him calling to her? Were those his arms folding around her? No, no those arms did not belong to her Papa. Those arms were trying to pull her farther down under the storm. She couldn't let them! She had to fight. Papa would fight.

Alice thrashed and thrashed. The storm could rage, but so could she. She was the storm, wasn't she? No, no storm or stranger would drown her. She was Alice freaking Jones! She was a pirate in the making! Her father was the scourge of the seven seas! No storm could best her. She just needed to get her head above water, to breathe again. Then she could find cover until the storm passed. She could find Papa, and Mama, and her brothers.

Again, someone grabbed at her, and she struggled and kicked, but her energy was dwindling. She was being pulled, and she couldn't resist. She was being pulled … up? Was she being pulled up? She was being pulled towards the light. Was it the sun, was she being rescued? Or was it the other light she was being pulled towards? Was this the end of Alice Jones?

The light got brighter and brighter, and then there was darkness.

And then there was noise.

"- got this far ashore? It's not so easy for most."

"Lad must've been desperate."

"As would I be, did you see that storm?"

She felt pressure on her chest, and she wanted to swat at whoever was putting it there, but her arms were sluggish and barely responded. And then she found she was coughing so violently that it forced her to sit up. Her whole body ached from the motion, and her head worst of all, but as she coughed up water she couldn't help but come to the conclusion that she was well and truly alive. She felt like laughing and crying all at once, but instead, she just coughed up water, her throat feeling remarkable dry and sore considering how much of the ocean was passing through it.

"Easy lad," a voice said, a hand pressing gently on her back.

She turned and saw a group of boys not much older than her staring at her curiously.

"Where … what …?" Not the best first impression, but Alice did not know what else to ask.

"You're safe from the storm. You've come ashore unharmed," said the boy whose hand was still on her back. "I found you struggling in the water. You put up quite a fight actually."

"I thought you were trying to drown me," she said, slowly processing what he'd said.

He laughed. His laugh was rich and bright, with the hint of something she couldn't quite identify. "If I wanted you to drown, well then I would have just left you to the storm. That would have gotten the job down well enough."

"And the others?"

There was a pause. "I didn't see anyone else. I'm sorry."

Alice shivered and convulsed, throwing up whatever was left in her. "So I'm alone then?"

"Fret not, lad. You've stumbled upon a band of boys who will gladly be your family."

Lad? But then she remembered what she was wearing and her new haircut.

"And who are you lads, then? Where am I?"

"You don't know? You're in the place where dreams are born, and time is never planned. You've found your way to Neverland, and my lost boys and I will take proper care of you."

Neverland. Papa had spoken of the place to her once before. He'd said it was a dangerous place, with tricks around every corner. Well, Papa always made things sound more dangerous than they were, scared for his precious, defenseless daughter. But Alice was wanting an adventure, and it seemed she was in the right place for one.

Was Papa alive? Had her family survived? Alice didn't know. But she might never know. And Papa knew the sea and storms. Surely they had made it. Getting back to them though, that would be difficult. And did she really want to go back to a family that coddled her and never let her be what she wanted so badly to be? Perhaps it was best if Alice Jones was lost to the world for now.

"Well, you know who we are. Care to tell us who you are?"

"Me? I'm a pirate."

The boy laughed, "Well we've certainly never had any pirates in Neverland. Aren't you a bit young to be a pirate?"

"Pirate in training," Alice corrected.

"Well, you're a lost boy now. One of us." He gave Alice his hand and helped her up, sending a shiver up her arm, "So, dread pirate, what do we call you?"

Alice smiled, "James. My name is James."

She didn't want the town to see how weak she was. She wanted to stay in bed for the rest of her life. She wanted to drift off to sleep, and maybe, if she were lucky, just stay asleep forever. She could be like Sleeping Beauty. Sleeping Beauty was probably in Henry's fairytale book, right? She could ask him later, if she was able to see him again. She certainly hoped she would be. She would see lots of people, many of whom she did not want to see at all. But she needed to. She needed to go out and be with people, because public places were safe. Jack hadn't done anything in public before, always careful of his reputation—and now, more than ever, people would check on how she was doing. If she stayed in public places, he wouldn't dare touch her.

She was pushing her shopping cart down the aisle of Storybrooke's only grocery store when she sensed someone behind her. She felt a hand on her shoulder, and she flinched, jumping back.

"I … sorry." The man said. It wasn't Jack. She exhaled, trying to smile as she turned to face him.

"That's fine. I'm just a bit jumpy, I suppose."

"That's completely understandable," The man said, pity in his eyes. They were kind eyes, though she couldn't quite remember them. She took him in again, and it clicked. David Mills. This was the Mayor's husband. They'd met at events, parties, and things. He was always off to the side, doting on his wife, but staying out of the way.

"Did you want something, Mr. Mills?"

He put a hand up, "David, please. And I just wanted to … I guess see how, that is … I saw you, and I just thought I should offer my apologies for what happened to you."

"Why should you apologize?"

"I just feel horrible that something like this happened to you. Our families have always been close; we're practically related, and I wanted you to know that the mayor and I support you. We're here if you need anything."

Aria nodded. Related indeed. My husband wants to shag your wife. Quite the incestuous family, I suppose. "I appreciate that."

"I want you to know I intend to put pressure on the sheriff's department. We'll catch this guy."

He seemed so adamant, but Aria felt cold. "That's not necessary. Graham is very capable."

"If he were, then this wouldn't have happened. Not in this town, of all places."

"Well, it's your wife's town. Maybe she's the one who should be -" Aria stopped. What had gotten into her? She was taking far too many risks lately. Ever since she'd given that book to Henry.

"-imply my wife had anything to do with-"

"Of course not. I'm sorry David. I'm just upset. Your wife is, of course, blameless in all things." She tried to keep the sarcasm from her voice, and David seemed placated.

"I understand. Did Jack tell you that we wanted to have you two for dinner?"

Aria nodded. "I'm looking forward to it. Should I bring anything?" Like a mallet?

"Nothing but your appetites. Selena is a great cook."

Aria nodded. "She is quite skilled in all things."

"That she is."

"Well, I promise that I'll be practically starving, and my husband will certainly be hungry." Of course, I'm always practically starving, scavenging through Granny's trash, and Jack's hunger won't have a thing to do with food.

"Excellent. Well, I have to get going, but I'll see you soon." Aria nodded. Then, he gave her a look so genuine it made Aria blink. "Take care," he said.

She nodded, feeling guilty for her harsh thoughts. It was hardly David's fault how Jack felt about Selena, or what Jack did to her. Truthfully, he seemed like a genuinely nice guy. He was the sort who would never beat his wife, and Selena was the sort who would never put up with it if he did. Some people had it so easy, and some people just kept getting pushed back down, lost and alone, wishing for a prince charming to ride in on a horse and save them.

She was thinking this as she watched David walk away and, for a minute, she also thought of Henry's book, of the story of James, Snow White, and David, her 'Prince Charming'. It was the most bizarre thought, but the picture of the shepherd flashed through her mind, and for a moment, it was him walking away from her. She wanted to call out to him and tell him that everything was wrong, that she needed him to save her, that he was a hero, wasn't he? But then the moment was gone, and Aria went back to her grocery cart.

There should be pictures. Jamie knew that. She had never thought to look for them before, but …

Sometimes, she wondered why she had always stayed in Storybrooke, living in the same house she'd grown up in. It wasn't that she didn't have other ambitions, but she just never felt strongly compelled to leave. Why go out seeking adventure when home was so … safe? The Mayor certainly kept things safe, though she had heard rumblings lately that things weren't as safe as she had once thought. In any case, right now, she was grateful to be in the same house. She was able to go up to the attic and look around. She was able to search for photo albums and family heirlooms. So far, she hadn't had much luck. However, Jamie was not one to give up easily.

It took a lot of effort, but she finally found something. It was a picture of her with her father. They were at the shop, standing in front of one of his beloved classic cars. She tried to remember what they had been talking about when the picture had been taken, but her recollection was fuzzy. Probably something about the make of the car. After all this time, she knew the model on sight. All that car trivia came to her second nature. It was the conversations with her father that seemed farther away.

"What can I get you?" the waitress at Granny's asked.

Neal was hardly listening. He was looking around for his wife. "Was Emma here earlier?" he asked.

"I'm sorry?"

"Emma, my wife. Look, we're new in town -"

"Oh, I know. It was all anybody was talking about for a while. But then that thing happened to Aria and well, I guess you guys became old news," she said shrugging.

"Right, um, so did you see her here earlier?"

"She was here. Had a tense conversation with Graham, ate her waffles, and took off."

"Graham?"

"The sheriff. Roguishly charming with scruff and an adorable accent. They looked cute together." Neal just looked at her, his eyes slightly wide, his mouth slightly open. She cleared her throat, a bit awkwardly. "But, I mean, he's decent, not the sort to go after a married woman. He was probably just playing welcoming committee or something like that."

"Right. So, you don't know where she went, miss-?"

"Ruby. And nope." She popped her gum. "So, you gonna order, or are we gonna gossip all day?"

Neal didn't say anything. His father, who had been watching the exchange cleared his throat and started to list off what they wanted, emphasizing coffee for his son. Ruby nodded and headed off.

"Is everything okay?" Henry asked.

"What do you mean?"

"I mean, you and Mom. Are you guys fighting?" Henry was the most mature ten-year-old Neal had ever known, but looking at his son's wide-eyed expression, he was reminded just how young he really was.

"Henry, no," he said, putting his hand on his son's shoulder. "We're just … having a thing."

Henry shrugged his father's hand off, "I'm not stupid, you know. I mean, this whole trip started because you guys had that fight about my project, and now you're acting weird and - "

"Henry, listen to me. Marriages … marriages aren't always perfect. Married people fight sometimes. They have things. But if they love each other, which your mom and I do, and they're willing to put in the work, which your mom and I are, then they make it through. Your mom and I … we're going to be fine."

He needed Henry to believe that. He needed to believe it. They were going to be fine.

"You're here again?"

Emma smiled, holding out the to-go bag and hot chocolate to Mary Margaret. "Disappointed?"

"I … I'm just surprised. I didn't think … that smells really good."

Emma smiled. "Waffles with butter and syrup packets and a side of sausage links."

Mary Margaret smiled, smelling the food. "That doesn't smell like coffee."

"No. Sorry, force of habit. I have this thing about hot chocolate, but if you want, I can go back and -"

"No that's fine. I love hot chocolate, especially with cinnamon."

Emma smiled. "Me too."

They sat in silence for a minute, "So, I heard you were quite the hero earlier, finding Aria."

"God, I hate small towns," Emma said, but there was a smile in her voice. "I just gave her a ride mostly, not that the sheriff believes that."

"Graham? He's a sweetheart. As honest as they come."

"I don't know that he trusts me much."

"Should he?" Emma didn't say anything. "Should I trust you? I'm sorry, I don't know why I asked. It's just -"

"We're staying," Emma said, cutting her off.

"What?"

"The other day, you said I couldn't offer to help because we were just passing through. But now we're staying. Indefinitely. So if you need anything..."

There was something at the back of Mary Margaret's brain saying she should say her sister made sure she had everything she needed. And yet … "Why? I mean, why are you staying?"

"For Aria. And you."

"You hardly know us."

"I know, but I feel like … like I need to. For anyone here who might need a friend."

My sister is my friend. She almost said it, almost, but something about the look in Emma's eyes stopped her. So, she smiled and raised her hot chocolate, toasting Emma. "Well, to new friends, then."

Alice followed the sound of tears. She had heard them before. Not all Lost Boys wanted to be lost. Some of them were just scared and alone, and they didn't see what Peter was offering them. She could talk them down, sometimes.

"You have a gentle touch, James; you say the things the rest of us don't think of."

She would smile at the secret she'd been keeping for what felt like forever now. She had been in Neverland a good long while now, and she knew that place. And Peter trusted her. What more could you want?

"A little homesick, are we?" she asked, as she came upon the new recruit. What she saw shocked her. A nightgown and long blonde curly hair. "You're a girl?"

"I want to go home!" the girl cried.

Alice nodded. "It … it feels like that at first. But after a while … Peter and the others can be your family."

"I have a family. Michael and John, Mother and Father, Nana …"

Alice smiled. "I had a family too. Liam and Asher, Mama and Papa, but they're far from me now. The Lost Boys take care of their own."

"Well I'm not a boy, and I don't want to be lost. I want to take my brothers and go home."

"It's not so bad as all that. I promise." She put a hand of comfort on the girl's shoulder, "Hey, what's your name?"

"Wendy," the girl said. "Wendy Moira Angela Darling."

"That's rather long. How do they fit it on your letters?"

"Only Mother gets letters."

"Well, now you and I have something in common. We have mothers, somewhere out there. None of these boys ever had one. They barely know what a girl is."

"But they know you."

Alice started, "I … my name is James." Wendy just looked at her. "You can't tell. They'll toss me out. They don't want girls."

Wendy gave a small smile. "I won't tell."

"Actually, if you want to go that badly, Peter might let you. The shadow could take you back. Since you're a girl—"

"My brothers … I can't leave them."

"We'll take good care of them. This island is a big playground and —"

"I don't care. I thought it sounded fun, but now we're not allowed to leave. What would I tell Mother? This will break her heart. And Father … They need us. They love us. And we love them. No, it's all of us or none of us. I can't leave them behind. They need me. Boys need girls to look after them. Michael gets scared at night and I sing to him, and John can get stupid and full of himself, and I have to remind him he's not so clever as all that."

"Well, Peter won't let them go back. That's not how he works. But —"

"What are you doing?" Peter called, walking over to them purposefully.

"Just telling Wendy that this place isn't as bad as all that," Alice said.

"Don't bother with her. She's a girl. She's welcome to go home whenever she likes. And by welcome, I mean encouraged." He gave a feral smile.

"Not without my brothers," Wendy said.

"Sorry Wendy, but your brothers are Lost Boys now. They're better off without the likes of you."

"Peter, can't she stay?" Alice heard herself asking.

"Watch yourself, James," He cautioned.

"It's just … It gets lonely here, and sometimes … sometimes I think about girls, and how it would be nice to have one around."

"Those are dangerous thoughts for a Lost Boy. Think too much that you need a woman and you'll soon find yourself a man, your balls tied to a lass who'll use you and leave you behind the first chance she gets. Girls are not good for much James, and what they're good for has consequences. They leave squealing little things in your lap, expecting you to play nursemaid the rest of your life. You'll never have another game in your life"

"But some of the younger ones could use a nursemaid and you don't want that role. Let her play their mother; let her ease their cries when you don't want to. Let her tell them stories of your bravery while you lead the older ones on adventures. Women are useful Peter, if you know how to use them."

"And why does it matter so much to you?"

"I … I want her to stay."

Peter took a moment, then nodded. "She's your responsibility, and if she gets to be a bother, on your head be it." And then he was off.

"Thank you. Thank you for not letting him separate us. You're quite clever yourself, aren't you?"

"All girls are clever. That's why boys hate us so much," she said, even as she wondered why Peter hated girls so much. What had happened to him? Who had hurt him so?

Wendy sniffled a bit, "I'm sorry. I should be grateful, and I am. It's just … "

"It's just you want to go home," Wendy nodded. "Why not give Neverland a chance, just for a bit? You might grow to like it here."

"What if I don't?"

"If you don't then … then I'll help you. I'll help you find a way home."

Wendy looked up at her, startled, "You … you promise?"

"Yeah. I promise."

"Hey, it's Jamie, right?"

Jamie turned to see Neal's wife approaching. "Yes. And it's Emma, correct?"

Emma nodded, "I'm glad I ran into you. I was going to call on Monday, but, no time like the present." Jamie waited for Emma to go on, "Well, my family and I, we've decided to stick around for a bit. And my son, he's ten, so he's going to be transferring, and a little birdie told me you're the principal of the local school."

"That I am."

"Yeah, so, Henry was in year-round school up until now, but he gets good grades, and he's very bright. I can have his stuff sent over to you Monday."

Jamie nodded. "Brilliant. Listen, I'm sort of in a rush, so if there wasn't anything else -"

"Right, sorry," Emma said. "No, there wasn't anything else. I mean, what else … um, I'll see you around."

Jamie nodded, heading on her way. She had a feeling Emma wanted to say more. Given that they might be sisters-in-law, it made sense. Jamie had never had a sister. She'd never been very close to other girls. Oh, she and her teachers were pleasant to each other, but she was their boss. She was on good terms with everyone at school, right down to May, but that wasn't the same. If Neal was right, she would have a sister, a brother, and a nephew. She wasn't sure how she felt about that.

"Sheriff, a word?"

Graham turned, seeing the mayor's husband heading his way. Because that was how Graham thought of him; not 'David,' but 'the mayor's husband'. David seemed the decent sort, and Graham hardly begrudged a man for doting on his wife. And the mayor was quite a woman. Graham respected her greatly. Still, it never seemed like David had a personality or a life of his own. He was always respectful and obedient. All of the Millses were prim and proper. It should have been that they were friends, running the town, wanting the best for Storybrooke. They worked on behalf of the mayor. Still, something about David just bugged Graham. Maybe it was the feeling that David could be so much more if he were challenged … if he tried. "How's 'Greetings'? 'Salutations'? 'Hello'? All good words, I think," he said, slowing his gate for David to catch up, as he took a sip from his to-go coffee cup.

David gave him a forced smile. "Cute. Look, I wanted to talk about the attack. I might have—"

Graham put his hand on David's arm, stopping him. "David, we're in the middle of Main Street. Perhaps best to wait to discuss sheriff business until we reach the privacy of the station, yeah?"

The two men walked side by side in silence for a bit. "So, how goes your morning?" Graham inquired, smiling into his cup.

"Fine. I dropped the kids at a friend's house for a few hours so I could run some errands."

Graham nodded. "Sweet kids. Well behaved."

David squinted in thought for a minute. "Uh, yeah," he said in a distracted tone. Then he shook his head, seeming to come out of it. "Yeah. So, it looks like we're here."

Graham stepped up and unlocked the door. "After you," he said, motioning theatrically.

"Thanks," David said, closing the door behind him. "So, like I was saying: the attack. I don't want to accuse anybody, but the timing seems a little suspect. With, you know, the newcomers."

"The thought had occurred to me," Graham said, trying not to give much away.

"Right. Good. Because, I mean, we had them over for a meal, right before this all happened actually, and they seemed like good people. But it's just, nothing like this has ever happened here, and now …"

"I see what you're getting at David, and I'm not so green a sheriff that I'm not already pursuing this. I'll admit that this case caught me by surprise, but I have every intention of finding the culprit and putting a stop to it. I'll explore all avenues."

David nodded. "Good."

"Good. Now, why don't you put it from your mind and relax for a minute? It's the weekend."

"I'll relax when this guy is behind bars," David said, heading off.

Graham shook his head. "I doubt that." What was it with David? Why did it bug him so much seeing the man so… well, this case had gotten under his bonnet, and maybe that was a good thing. After all, as casual as Graham tried to play it, the whole thing got under his bonnet too. And he was pursuing it. He was just a wee bit scared of what he might find.

"Why are we doing this?" Henry asked, as he followed his grandfather to the hospital.

As soon as Neal had left, Rumple had known what he needed to do. He hated involving Henry, but adorable ten-year-olds were a useful distraction, and he needed all the help he could get. This would not be easy to pull off, especially with his limp. He had to try though.

"This is about protecting your father, Henry. Protecting all of us, really. You'll just have to trust me."

"Of course I trust you, Grandpa," Henry said. "But I still don't understand - "

"Henry, please. I promise, one day, I will explain everything, but right now, I need your help. You remember what I told you to do, right?"

Henry nodded, going up to the desk, "Excuse me?"

"Well, hello, young man. And who might you be?"

"I'm Henry."

"What can I do for you, Henry?"

"I'm supposed to go in for a shot, but I'm scared. Doctors are super scary." Henry said, trying for earnest. Did I just say 'Doctors are super scary'? Who talks like that? No way she'd going to buy this!

But the woman smiled like she saw this sort of thing every day and said in what she clearly thought was a friendly voice, "Doctors are not so scary, I promise. I work with them every day."

"Well, I'm scared, so I ran off."

"Henry, you can't run off when you need a shot. Shots are important. Don't you want to be healthy?"

Geez, does she think I'm two? Henry thought, but he nodded, playing his part, "But I don't want to have to get a shot. Adults don't need shots to be healthy."

"Adults get shots too."

"You're just saying that."

"Why don't I walk you back, hm, Henry?" Henry nodded. "Let's just check what room you were in -"

"I remember," Henry said quickly. "It was 403."

The woman nodded, "Okay. Let's go."

"Wait. Can I have a hug first?"

The woman smiled, "Why certainly." She got down on Henry's level and gave him a big hug. Then she stood up and took his hand, "All right. Let's go."

Henry nodded, subtly tossing something to Rumple.

Once they were gone, Rumple took the keys and made his way through the hospital. First, he stopped at the door marked 'scrubs'." Thankfully they were all unisex, though he couldn't help but notice that all the doctors seemed to be female. He had an inkling as to why.

Seems the fireflies are all doctors here. How interesting.

He wanted to silence the voice.

Except, wasn't the voice what had led him here in the first place? Had it been his own idea to do this, or that of The Dark One?

No, he needed to protect Bae, to protect all of them. He needed to get those blood samples before they were tested.

At any rate, if all the doctors were females, he wouldn't pass for one, even in scrubs. He tried to be quiet leaving the room, still in his street clothes. Useless waste of time.

"Sir, what are you doing back here?" a doctor asked.

Rumple smiled, "I'm a close personal friend of Mayor Mills," he said smoothly. "She wanted me to check on something for her."

The woman looked a little dazed, and then she smiled. "Oh, of course," she said.

Well, it seemed he had found the magic words. "I just need you to direct me to where the yet-to-be-tested blood samples are kept. For inventory purposes."

"Absolutely. Room 109. It's right down the hall. You can't miss it."

Rumple nodded. "Thank you." He knew he was leaving a trail. It was sloppy, and he hated it. But he didn't have magic nor any other advantages, and he needed those samples. He just prayed they hadn't been tested yet.

Roguishly charming? Adorable accent? Neal couldn't help but huff as he made his way into the sheriff's department. He hadn't planned to go over there, but he was passing right by it, Ruby's words still ringing in his ear, and he thought, 'Hey, maybe he'll know where Emma is.' And maybe he also thought, 'Maybe he needs to be told that she's married.'

The man that stood there wasn't that good looking. Okay, so he was sort of tall, but what did that matter? Girls didn't really care about that tall, dark handsome thing; it was just a stereotype like girls liking pink and boys liking blue. And even if there was some truth to it, Emma wasn't like that.

"Can I help you?" the man Neal assumed was Sheriff Graham asked. Well, he had an accent, but it wasn't British, so that meant it wasn't sexy, right?

"Yeah, I think so. I wanted to know what you were talking to my wife about this morning."

Graham cocked his head. "Excuse me?"

"Sorry. Let me introduce myself. I'm Neal Stiltskin. My wife is Emma Stiltskin. I heard you were talking to her at Granny's today."

"And you decided to ask me about it instead of her?"

"Well, I can't seem to … locate her just yet," Neal said, sheepishly.

"Keep her on a tight leash, do you?"

Neal's eyes widened, "What, no, I just -"

"It just seems a little controlling to me."

"Look, I don't know what your game is, but Emma and I, we're solid. You're not touching us."

The sheriff nodded. "I'll keep that in mind."

Neal shook his head. What was he doing? He was acting crazy. He needed to talk to Emma. "Well, that's it I guess. Um, nice meeting you." The sheriff did not return the sentiment. Neal stumbled out, cursing himself. What had he been thinking? Being around all this fairytale craziness was making him act like a lunatic. And if Henry was right and they were facing off against an evil queen, he couldn't afford that. It was just … how could Emma be from the Enchanted Forest? Of all the people he had to fall for, marry, have a kid with, it had to be a princess from back home. It wasn't fair to be angry with her, to be paranoid and jealous. He knew that. But how was he supposed to wrap his head around all of this? He made his way back to Granny's hoping to find Emma. They really needed to talk.

"She's not here," Jack said, before Emma could even ask.

"Well, do you know where she is?" she asked, trying to be polite to this asshole.

He shook his head. "She went out. 'Sall I know. Sorry." He didn't sound too sorry to her.

"It's funny. After what happened, I would think she would want to stay home and rest. And I would think you would want to know where she went, check she was safe."

"Well, it's bloody daylight, ain't it? She's hardly gettin' attacked again in the day. And women have things they need to do sometimes. You tell your husband everything?"

Emma shook her head. "Well, I guess I'll stop by some other time then."

"You don't need ta."

"I want to. I want her to know she has a friend who intends to look out for her. I plan to protect her from the bastard who beat her up, and anyone else who might, in any way I can."

"What are you, some sort of superhero or something?"

"Just an ordinary woman with ordinary abilities. Well, actually, I do have one superpower. I can always tell when someone is lying to me." Jack gulped at that. "You tell Aria I stopped by, and to stay strong." Jack nodded. "Oh, and I lied a bit before, because there is nothing ordinary about women, and least of all me. I'm actually quite capable."

She headed back down the steps, smirking a bit. I think I made my point.

"Stupid shot," Henry said, scratching his arm. He had led the nurse around a bit, but eventually, she'd checked the system for him. When she didn't find him, he'd said it was all a big misunderstanding, and that must be that, but she seemed to think he had deleted himself from the system. Like he was some ten-year-old computer prodigy. Granted, these computers were pretty low-tech, but still, he was ten. She didn't listen to him though, so he ended up with a flu shot. And he had to give his parents' names for insurance purposes, so they would be getting a call soon. Oh, well. At least he got a lollipop.

He headed outside the hospital and saw Aria sitting on the bench there. He hadn't seen her since … before. She looked really bad. Like a beat-up eggplant. Henry felt so small watching her. Then she turned and smiled at him.

"Henry?"

"Hi," he said, sitting next to her. He handed her his lollipop, "You look like you need this more than I do."

"That's sweet Henry, but you don't have to -"

"It's fine. It's grape anyway."

Aria laughed, but her good humor didn't quite reach her eyes, "Well, honestly, what I need are pain pills, but my husband's insurance … " She paused, getting that look in her eye adults got when they remembered they were talking to a ten-year-old. "It doesn't matter. How have you been?"

Henry shrugged, "I think my parents are having problems. I mean, my dad says they're fine but … I don't know."

Aria nodded understandingly. "My parents are dead," she said sadly. "All I have is Jack."

"Hey, that's my grandpa's name," Henry said.

"Is it?"

Henry nodded. "You'd like him. He should be around any minute now. I'm waiting for him to finish with … something." Aria raised her eyes in a question. "I don't know what he's doing. He's been kind of secretive lately."

"Well, you're still lucky to have him."

"I know." He put his hand on her arm. "I'm sorry about your parents."

"Thank you, Henry," she sighed, standing, "I should go."

"Wait, don't you want to meet my grandpa?"

"Maybe some other time."

Wendy was still unhappy. So was Michael. And so was John. Wendy was awesome, the best friend ever. And Michael, he was so like Asher it made Alice ache. And John, well, Wendy was right: he could be stupid, but when they called him on it, he would get all embarrassed and apologize. He would give a sheepish smile that did something weird to Alice's stomach, though she wasn't sure why. And they all wanted to go home.

Alice realized that maybe she did too. Because the more Wendy talked about how much her family loved her and how much they must be broken up about her and John and Michael being gone, the more Alice thought of her father, and how protective he was, and how sad he must be. He probably thought she was dead, and that made Alice ache. She'd been in Neverland long enough. It was time for them all to go home.

Peter would never let them, Alice knew that. Wendy, he might let go, but the Darlings were a package deal. As for Alice herself, the time to fess up to being a girl had long since passed, and Peter would sooner kill her than let her go now. She'd seen him with Wendy, the way he played with her, scared her, and smiled when she cried. How had she ever thought him sweet?

She knew nobody left Neverland without Peter's say-so, but maybe with some help …

Alice pulled out the bottle that had somehow survived the storm. She supposed it was because it was magic. "Papa, it's Alice. I'm trapped in Neverland with my friends. Please come."

"Alice is it?" she heard Peter say, jumping down from a tree branch next to her. "Not James, then?"

Alice started, turning to him and doing her best to hide the bottle behind her back.

"I knew there was something off about you from the beginning. I suspected for a while, in fact. But you seemed so determined to be a lost boy, and I've never turned a lad away before." He smiled that feral grin of his, "If you wanted to leave, Alice, all you had to do was ask."

"I … I want to leave," she said, hoping he would believe her.

"All right. That can be arranged. Except it's not just you, is it? You want the Darling brats to come with you?"

"They're not happy here, Peter. Can't you see that? Why keep them when they don't want to stay?"

"Because this is MY island, and they are mine," he said, walking towards her, purposefully. She backed up a bit. "As are you, Alice." He grabbed her face in his hand, and she felt his nails dig into her skin. He turned her head from side to side, inspecting it, "Not a whisker on you, but then, as a boy of barely ten, you wouldn't have them, would you? It was a great game, but I want to play too." He leaned close, his voice dropping to a whisper. "I don't like being lied to, James." Alice shivered. "You wanted Wendy to stay because girls have something to offer too. Isn't that what you said? Is that what you wanted to prove? Well, you're not ready for what girls have to offer, but if you're so keen to know, I'll just have to show you."

His lips were on hers then, and it tasted foul and wrong. She bit his lip, and she felt him chuckle against her. She felt helpless. No. Not helpless. She was James the lost boy, and she knew how to fight dirty.

No, she was a girl. She was a lost girl—the first—but Peter wasn't. He was a real boy, with the weakness every real boy had. Her knee went up quickly, catching Peter by surprise, and then he was screaming, and she was running.

"Bitch!" he called.

She ran to the camp, waking a sleeping Wendy, Michael, and John. "Peter's mad. He knows we want to leave, and he's having none of it. We have to run, now."

"How will we survive out there?"

"I've been a lost boy long enough to know this island. I can keep us alive, but we have to keep moving."

They all nodded, getting up to follow her. Michael grabbed his teddy and they left the camp, heading for a different part of the jungle. Meanwhile, in another forest, Killian Jones heard a message in a bottle and felt a spark of hope for the first time in a very long time.

There was a knock on the door and Neal rushed to answer it. "Emma?"

"Why would Emma need to knock?" the familiar British voice of his maybe-relative asked, "I assume she has a key."

Neal's face fell slightly. "Yeah, I know, I just … What's up?"

"Didn't you get a call? From the hospital? There was some sort of mishap and something happened to our blood work. We need to go back in."

"Of course there was," Neal said, grimacing, "Look, I … think I was wrong. I don't think we're related after all."

"What? But you said -"

"I guess I was looking for a connection. For answers. I barely remember my mother, and maybe I just wanted … But that's not the point. It was a dumb theory."

"I thought …" There was a catch in her voice and it made Neal's heart ache.

"Are you okay?"

Jamie shook her head. "It's just, all my family is gone, and, for a second, I hoped …"

"Hey, I can still be your friend, be here for you, if you want," Neal paused, thinking. "Or, I could leave you alone. That's your call. But I do have one request. This was all a little crazy, and I'd appreciate it if you'd keep my theory between us. I mean, who needs to know that I lost my marbles for a week, right?"

Jamie nodded. "I suppose. I … I'll think about it, the friend thing. But you know it's not that same. Having a connection to my parents -"

"I know. I felt the same."

"And to have a brother, and a sister -"

"Emma will be your friend, too. I'm sure of it. She's friendly with everyone."

"Sometimes, I just feel lost. Like I've lost everyone or like everyone's lost me. I don't know where it comes from or why I'm telling you." She swiped at her eyes.

"Hey, it's okay," Neal said, taking Jamie into a hug.

"What the hell?" Neal looked up, surprised at Emma's voice. He hadn't heard her come in. "What's going on here?"

Jamie pulled back from Neal, "Emma. Hi."

"Hi. Hi? Why are you hugging my husband, in our hotel room, in our bed?"

"Emma, no, it's not … It's not like that," Jamie said, standing up and holding up her hands in a placating manner. "He was just being my friend."

Emma's eyes went to her husband. "Neal?"

Neal nodded, standing. "She was upset. I was comforting her. That's all."

"Upset about what?" Neal and Jamie exchanged a look, saying nothing. Emma looked back and forth between them. "Why was she here at all?"

"We thought-"

"It's not important," Neal said, interrupting Jamie quickly. She looked at him surprised, but Neal shook his head slightly.

"I suppose you two should talk," Jamie said, walking past Emma who stood frozen, "It really wasn't what you think, Emma. We'll talk Monday about Henry."

As soon as Jamie had gone, Emma demanded, "You want to give me a better explanation than that half-ass crap you just fed me?"

"She was upset, and it was private. You're a social worker. You get that people don't always want to tell what's going on with them."

"Well, she seemed willing to spill until you cut her off. Seems to me, you're the one hiding things." She shook her head and stormed to the closet to hang up her jacket. "You're always the one hiding things."

"Yeah, I suppose you want some upstanding sheriff who is far too decent to break up a marriage -"

"What?"

"Ruby saw you having breakfast with the good-looking sheriff. Said you guys looked cute together."

"Are you serious right now? You're accusing me of something after what I just walked in on?"

"That wasn't what it looked like!"

"Yeah, well, Graham crashing my breakfast was exactly what it looked like. Him crashing my breakfast, talking to me for a minute, and then leaving, so don't you dare turn this around on me! You tell me nothing for years, and I let it slide, and now Jamie …" Emma shook her head and collapsed onto the bed. "How can I trust you?"

"You … you don't trust me?" Neal asked, deflated.

"I don't know. I love you, but sometimes, I just don't know who you are."

Neal sighed and took a seat next to his wife, "I'm a guy who … is going through something. Something kind of big. And he doesn't know how to deal. But … I'll figure it out. I know I will. Because if I don't, I lose you, and I could never … I can't lose you."

Emma didn't say anything. She just sat there. Neal realized she was crying. He wanted to hold her, to wipe the tears from her eyes but if she pushed him away … he just didn't know if he could handle that.

"Em, please, say something."

"Neal, I …" She let out a breath and seemed to just deflate.

"Hey, remember when we found out about Henry? You were so scared, and I told you that we'd be okay. That you and I could handle it?"

Emma snorted, "You said, 'We got this, Em. What's one more mouth to feed?' "

"You didn't know if you could be a mom, but I told you that we would be a parenting dream-team. Because you and me, together, we could handle anything, from ogres to munchkins."

"Yeah, I always thought the phrasing was weird, even for you," Emma said, smiling a little through her tears. "Neal, you can't just push this under the rug with memories and pep talks."

"Just tell me we're going to be okay. Anything else, I can handle. You need space. I have to sleep with Pop tonight. I'm getting the silent treatment, a sexual dry spell. I have to sit through a Gilmore Girls marathon-" Emma snorted, "Anything. But just tell me that we're gonna be okay."

Emma looked at him, her eyes wide and bright and wet. "Can you tell me no more secrets?"

"I … I can tell you that someday, in the very, very near future, there will be no more secrets. I will tell you everything, about my mom, and where I come from, why I freaked out about this town, and what Jamie and I were talking about. All of it. And if you still want me afterward, then … But today, today just isn't that day, Em. I'm sorry."

Emma nodded, "Someday … someday is something." She stood up, brushing her hair back, and wiping her cheeks. "I am going to need some time, some space, but if you mean it, I mean really mean it, Neal, then, yeah, I think we'll be okay."

A smile broke out on Neal's face, and he grabbed Emma, hugging her close to him. "Neal."

He stepped back, "Yeah, space. I get it. I just … I'm just so … thank you, Em. Thank you. I'd be lost without you."

Emma smiled, "Me too."

"I heard you had a disruption at the hospital."

"Can I offer you some coffee, Madam Mayor?" Alana asked, smiling.

"Oh, don't bore me with pleasantries. I want to know what happened."

"Since when are you so interested in my hospital?"

"Since that little family came to town and turned it all upside down just by being here. And this is my town, which makes the hospital my business."

"Well, as I'm sure you know, a lab tech mixed up all the vials of samples. We're having people come in for retesting."

"Anybody opt out the second go-round?"

"Not to my knowledge. And I'm sure my nurses told you the same when you questioned them."

"Funny. This town is supposed to be unquestioningly loyal to me."

"And they are, aren't they?"

"Quite. But you, my dear, you have your own mind."

"Well, you did decide to wake me up. That does not, however, make me disloyal."

"It had better not. I've got a meeting for some silly town thing. You keep your hospital in better order from now on."

"I will do my best," Alana said, watching her "friend" walk out in a huff.

So dramatic.

Yes, the nurses were loyal, but they were also as pliable as any mortal in a mortal world. This might be a world without magic, but there were other things that a woman with access to both modern and eastern medicine could use. She certainly had enough at her disposal of those to "confuse" a nurse or two. And if that nurse had told her that a well-dressed, grey-haired, older man with a Scottish accent had been poking about that room, well, Alana Drake would certainly take note. When she saw that the tests involved the newcomers and a blood-based DNA test, well, that was another thing to consider. And Alana Drake always considered things carefully.

"You did something to the blood test, didn't you, Pop?"

Rumple shook his head as he undid his tie. "It was necessary. You know that."

Neal nodded, "Yeah, I guess I do. This curse, it's gonna be a helluva mess."

His father nodded again and headed for the bathroom. "Are you going to leave me to change?"

"I'll be back when you're done. I'm, uh, on the couch, as it were."

"What?" He approached Neal now, putting his hand on his shoulder. "Son-"

"It's fine. She just … needs time. We'll be okay. Once this is over … I can finally tell her, at least. Truth is, things have been difficult, ya know. Keeping secrets, telling lies. That's not a marriage. Her being from there, in some way, it almost makes it easier."

"She still doesn't know. She still won't believe you."

"I know, believe me," Neal said, flopping on the bed. "But that's tomorrow's problem."

Rumple sighed. "I suppose I'm changing in the bathroom. And I will need my bed back. Don't worry, we'll order you a mattress."

She had been dreaming of watching the sunrise. It had been so long since she'd seen one. Time was funny in Neverland. Alice wasn't sure how long she had been on the island, or how long she and the Darlings had been on the run. It was long enough for a fight with the lost boys. Alice had started teaching Wendy and the boys to fight. There was no way to know how long they would be running and, if the time came, they might all find themselves fighting Pan for their lives. Alice wasn't sure she could take him in a fight. She could take the other lost boys, and she had, both in play, and when it had counted. Pan was different, though. This was his island and …

But it was no use getting worked up. She looked around for what had woken her. There were sounds of a struggle nearby. Quickly, she went to check on her friends who it turned out were also stirring from their slumber.

"Who is it?" John asked. "I mean, it's not us obviously, so …"

Alice put her finger to her lips. John could be such a dolt sometimes. He made a motion as though locking his lips with a key and then dramatically mimed throwing it toward the river. Alice rolled her eyes, trying not to smile. She beckoned the gang to follow her. Hiding behind a rather large plant, Alice peered out and saw two unfamiliar boys fighting with Pan's crew. No, not unfamiliar. They weren't lost boys, and they were slightly older than when she had last seen them, but they weren't unfamiliar. LIAM! ASHER! She wanted to call to them but knew better than to give away their position. She kept searching, seeing some of her father's crew in the fray, and then, MAMA! PAPA! They were all there. It took everything she had not to run to them.

For a minute she just watched, mesmerized, but then she saw something that terrified her: she saw her father hesitate. He was squaring off with Pan, and he was seeing a child. Oh Papa, she thought, he's no child.

She picked up her weapon of choice, a very sharp stick with a little something extra. She'd been saving it for a rainy day. She motioned for the others to stay put, and then she shot up into the air.

"This is my island, pirate. No rescue parties allowed. If you agree to leave peacefully, I may -"

And then she had him on the ground. He spun away from her, pushing her weapon aside with his own.

"Nice entrance, but sloppy plan altogether. You barely nicked me," Pan said, his eternal laugh on his lips, "You'll have to do better than …" He faltered, stumbling.

"Nicking you was all I needed."

Pan stared at her, shocked. "Poison?"

Alice nodded, "You've the cure on this island. You know how to evade death too well and … I don't really want to kill you. But you're weak. And you don't have time to fight us and find a cure. You're on a clock now. Tick tock. Tick tock. So is it a race for your life, or for your prisoners?"

"My boys-"

"You'll call them off, because if you don't, we'll fight you until your last. If you want to figure out what ails you and go get your cure, then I suggest letting us leave your island. We won't be returning."

"Oh, but you will. I taught you well, but while you go off and grow up and grow soft, I'll have years to plan and scheme. And one day, when you least expect it, I will find you. And you will pay. I don't lose, James. I may need to load the dice, but I always win the hand in the end."

"Then … you won't try to stop us?"

"Hardly have a choice at this point. But this isn't over. Mark my words, James. We will see each other again."

And then he flew off, his boys following suit with confused looks on their faces.

Alice ran, and Papa scooped her up as she did. Somehow, even being mere inches from the ground, it felt so much better than flying, "You were brilliant, little love."

Alice took in the smell of old leather. "I missed you, Papa."

"We missed you too. Sorry it took so long."

"How long was I gone?"

"I … it's been three years." Alice gasped. "We thought you were dead," he went on, "taken by the storm. Seven months ago I got your message, but I had no way to get here. We went to every sorcerer we knew of, followed every lead until we found someone who could enchant the ship."

Alice looked up. "The Jolly Roger survived?"

"Aye. She was a bit worse for wear, but she made it. As, it appears, did you. And now she's airborne, as it appears are you."

There was some throat clearing behind them. Alice left her father's embrace, if a little reluctantly. "Papa, these are my friends, Wendy, John, and Michael."

"Sir, could your vessel take us back to London?" Wendy asked.

"I don't see why not. Uh, where is that?"

"You don't know? But, you're Irish?"

"John," Wendy hissed.

"What? Doesn't he sound Irish?"

"There's no magic in the land they're from, Papa."

"I see. Well, if there's no magic, then …" Killian exchanged a helpless look with his wife.

"We'll find a way," Milah spoke up. "And you can stay with us in the meantime. What're another three mouths to feed?"

"Mama!" Alice cried, running again to the arms of a loving parent.

"I've missed you, my darling."

"Hey, that's our name," Michael said, causing Alice to laugh.

They all boarded the Jolly Roger and flew off into the sky, Neverland and all the nightmares it brought disappearing behind them. It seemed everything would all be all right. Still, Pan's voice echoed in Alice's head. "This isn't over. Mark my words, James. We will see each other again."

"What happened to your hand?" Jamie turned, startled to see Henry, Neal, and Emma's son. Well, it exactly that she had been startled to see them, but she had been lost in thought. It seemed to be happening quite a bit lately. After what had happened in Neal and Emma's room, she had made her way out of Granny's, and she'd been meaning to leave, but she found herself sitting on the steps outside for a while. Did she believe Neal was her brother? Did she believe he wasn't? Did she want him to be? He had seemed so sure before; why was he so sure of the opposite now?

"It's not polite to sneak up on people, Henry."

"Sorry," Henry said, taking a seat next to her. "But you were just sitting here. And I was just wondering …"

Right. He had asked her a question. A question about … "That's not polite either."

"Wondering?"

"Asking someone what happened to a body part they might be missing."

"Oh," Henry said, his face falling. "But since I didn't know -"

"That doesn't make it all right."

"Are you mad?"

Jamie thought about the question. "I don't mind so much, I suppose. But in the future-"

"Right. But does that mean you'll tell me?"

"Interrupting is also impolite." Henry looked down again, abashed. "You really want to know?" Henry nodded eagerly. Jamie sighed. "It was … a boating accident," she said, after giving it some thought.

"You sail?"

"I … no. No, I don't. I hate the water; never found my sea legs."

"Then why-"

"It was just something that happened once. It wasn't a habit."

"But do you remember, like really, really remember?"

"Of course I do. Why would you ask that?"

Henry shrugged, "Just a theory." He hopped up again. "I've gotta go. My parents'll be looking for me soon. Goodnight."

"Henry?" Henry stopped. "You start at my school on Monday. I expect you to be polite, prepared, and punctual. Understood?"

Henry shrugged, "Sure." Jamie quirked an eyebrow, "I mean yeah, yes. Okay."

Jamie smiled. "Off to bed with you, then. It's quite late. I'll see you Monday."

Henry nodded, heading up the stairs. He wasn't a bad kid, though in need of a little discipline. Why had she never had kids, again? Something tugged at her memory and her eyes felt uncharacteristically wet. Then it was gone, and Jamie headed home to prepare for another day.